‘Dragon’ Maneuver Prohibited at Indianapolis 500 Following Close Call
The iconic Indianapolis 500 race is undergoing a major change as IndyCar has officially banned the trick known as the “Dragon”. The purpose of the rule twist is to improve the safety and fairness of the competition, especially after Josef Neugarden’s risky move in the last edition of the competition.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Bowles revealed in a recent interview that the ban on the “Dragon” maneuver has been confirmed, but the specifics of the rules are still up in the air with less than 100 days to go before the race.
The ‘Dragon’ manoeuvre, named after Marcus Ericsson’s 2022 victory, sees the lead driver dangerously block overtaking before the checkered flag comes off the track after Turn 4. This technique was originally introduced by Simon Pagenaud in 2019 and has been refined over the years, leading to Joseph Neugarden’s exciting moment in the previous version.
Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden pulled off a daring maneuver exiting Turn 4, steering his No. 2 Chevrolet to the outside of the track, crossing the white dashed line connecting the fader and the end of Turn 4. This move, known as the “Dragon”, became the subject of debate and controversy.
In an interview with Industry, Doug Bowles admitted that the extent of the ban has not yet been fully determined. “I know what you know, which is a trick they don’t allow, but how much a car can go over the pit lane commitment limit, I don’t think we know yet,” Bolles said.
In a statement to IndyStar, IndyCar confirmed that Newgarden’s maneuver is in the rulebook but will not be allowed in future editions. The line is developed into a hard line and the correct penalty is in the final stage. Possible penalties include a lap or time penalty, as well as forcing the rider to give up a protected position, disqualification or even a black flag.
The ambiguity of the rules raises questions about how the ban will be enforced, especially if it comes in the last minute of the race. Boles reflected on the difficulty of imposing penalties in the heat of the race, stressing that these are issues that IndyCar will continue to consider.
The “Dragon” technique, which initially gained fame in 2019 and has evolved over the years, has become an important technique in the final stages of the competition. The purpose of the ban is to balance competition by preventing extremely risky activities that could endanger the safety of pilots.
Although the line that defines the ban is still unclear, the next editions of the Indy 500 promise not only an exciting pace, but also a new chapter in the racing strategy. Fans are excited to see how the teams adapt to these changes and how the racing environment will evolve at the most famous race on the IndyCar calendar.
